Kipp Soldwedel Operation Sail New York Harbour Oil Painting

Kipp Soldwedel (American 1913-1999) "Operation Sail" oil on canvas Very rare painting depicting the arrival of all tall ships taking part of the New York Harbour Event in 1964 and Celebrating the Birth of America. Framed with brass nameplates for all the vessels / ships. President John F. Kennedy coined the name for the event. The name 'Operation Sail', was to be used again in 1976, 1989, 1992 & 2000. The painting is a water-level view of the International fleet, USS Forrestal aircraft carrier in background, and Statue of Liberty to the right. This was painted in 1976. Signed lower right. Verso signed, inscribed with artist's copyrights and dedicated lower right. Please note this painting hung in the Rotunda of the Statue of Liberty Monument on Liberty Island, New York Harbor on July 4, 1988. Without frame measuring 48" high by 70" wide. With frame: 58" high x 80" wide Marine artist Kipp Soldwedel studied fine arts at Yale University and was awarded four Beaux Arts medals. He received a scholarship to the American Academy in Rome. During World War II, he was a flight instructor and meteorologist for the United States Air Force. Kipp Soldwedel is most well known for his maritime battle scenes though he did paint over 150 portraits of celebrities. His illustrations appeared in magazines such as National Geographic, Time, Life, and Town and Country. Many of his paintings depicted the tall ships. He was the known as one of the greatest modren masters of Marine Paintings.